Annie Smith Peck had a distinguished academic career, including a master's degree from the University of Michigan and advanced study in Germany and Greece. She taught Latin at Purdue University and Smith College. But her first glance at the Matterhorn awakened an interest in mountain climbing. She ultimately climbed the Matterhorn and went on to conquer other mountains in Europe, North America, and the Andes in South America. When she was 61 she crowned her ascent of Peru's Mount Coropuna with a "Votes for Women" pennant. She climbed her last mountain at the age of 82.